naranjilla

Lulo/Naranjilla
Grown as a patio decoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Solanum Species: S. quitoense
Binomial name
Solanum quitoense Lam.
Synonyms
See text

Whole and transversely-cut fruit

Solanum quitoense, known as naranjilla (Spanish pronunciation: [naɾaŋˈxiʎa], "little orange") in Ecuador and as lulo ([ˈlulo], from Quechua) in Colombia, is a subtropical perennial plant from northwestern South America. The scientific name means "nightshade from Quito" as evidenced by the scientific name, it is a member of the Nightshade family.

The naranjilla plant is attractive, with large heart-shaped leaves up to 45 cm in length. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered in short purple hairs. Naranjilla are delicate plants and must be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight. They grow best in partial shade. Its USDA/NRCS symbol is SOQU.

The fruit has a citrus flavour, sometimes described as a combination of rhubarb and lime. The juice of the naranjillas is green and is often used as a drink. The naranjilla fruit is harvested when fully ripe to avoid the fruit becoming sour.

Monophyletic Classification

With in the genus Solanum, S.quitoense is apart of the leptostemonum clade. With in this clade S. quitoense belongs to the Lasiocarpa clade. Other species with in this clade are: S.candidum, S.hyporhodium, S.lasiocarpum, S.felinum, S.psudolulo, S. repandum and S. vestissimum.^[1] Other plants exist with morphologically similarities to S.quitoense, but they may or may not be closely related. Some of these plants are: S.hirtum, S. myiacanthum, S. pectinatum, S. sessiliflorum and, S. verrogeneum. Many of these plants related or not can be confused with S. quitoense, furthermore Solanum quitoesnse's physical traits varys from plant to plant, making identification challenging. One characteristic that is unique to S. quitoense is the ring of green flesh within the ripe fruit.^[2]

Agriculture

The future of this plants impact on the global food industry is uncertain. While this plant bares many promising agricultural qualities, the plant has large obstacles to over come. This plant can add new flavors to the food industry. Though the exact chemicals have not been discovery, their presence in the fruit has been confirmed. On the down side the plant is susceptible to fungus parasites and other diseases. Its fruits, like a tomato's, are impractical to pick ripe because of its short shelf life (4-5 days). The fruits are found at markets. It is common for locals to make beverages by adding sugar and water to the freshly squeezed fruits. Costa Rica is the only known place where naranjilla jam is commercially sold. locals will also add salt to the fresh fruit, cut it into pieces, and eat it .^[3]

Rural Costa Rican farmers prepare fruit with salt.

Pests / Hybrids

Pests easily destroy a crop of this species. This limits its use for agriculture. One common type of infection is caused by the root-knot nematode. The ripe fruit can be attacked by fungus fairly easily. Many times the fruit is picked unripe to avoid rotting. ^[4]

Hybrids are an increasingly popular solution to the nematode pest problem. Solanum quitoense has been hybridized with other plants, most commonly with S. sessiliflorm, a plant with similar phenotypic traits. The leaves, flowers and fruits of S. sessiliflorm are similar in form to S. quitoense, but has much larger fruits that are yellow; the resulting hybrids have fruits with yellowish fruit pulp.^[5]

Health facts / Fruit analysis

These photos show the unripe fruit (green) in comparison to the ripe fruit (orange).

Unripe fruit flesh.

Ripe fruit flesh.

Contents of the fruit varies from region to region. These statistics are based on Costa Rican fruit.

^[6]

These statistics are based on fruits found in Colombia and Ecuador.

^[7]

New growth / Trichomes

The new growth of this plant is densely covered in trichomes. Coloration in the plant's trichomes around the new growth and flowers varys from purple to white and from plant to plant. Identifcation can be difficult for this reason. The buds and baby leaves are protected.

These photos show the new growth on the plant.

Baby leaf.

Bud.

Bud and baby leaf.

The flower of Solanum quitoense.

Synonyms

This plant has been described under a number of junior synonyms:^[8]

• Solanum angulatum Ruiz & Pav.
• Solanum macrocarpon Molina (non L.: preoccupied)
• Solanum macrocarpon Pav. ex Dunal in DC. (nomen nudum, preoccupied)
• Solanum nollanum Britton
• Solanum quitense Kunth
• Solanum quitoense f. septentrionale (R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec.) D'Arcy
• Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale R.E.Schult. & Cuatrec.

Footnotes

References

• Solanaceae Source (2005): Solanum quitoense. Version of December 2005. Retrieved 2008-SEP-25.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Solanum quitoense

• PLANTS National Database Reports and Topics SOQU
• GRIN/NPGS Taxonomy information Solanum quitoense Lam.
• Naranjilla in Fruits of Warm Climates by Morton, Julia F. 1987

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